SOYA milk and tofu may reduce the build-up of harmful fat in the liver, say scientists.

New research suggests soy protein may protect against "fatty liver disease", a condition linked to obesity that can lead to liver failure.

Scientists in the US compared the livers of lean and obese rats fed a diet containing either milk or soy protein.

No differences were seen in lean animals. However, obese rats fed soy showed a 20% reduction in overall levels of fat accumulation in the liver.

Study leader Dr Hong Chen, from the University of Illinois, said: "When fat accumulates in an organ that's not supposed to store fat, like the liver, that organ's vital function can be dangerously compromised."

The findings are being presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in San Diego, California.

Soy protein appears to help repair a key signalling pathway in the liver involved in fat metabolism, said the scientists.

This made it harder for the liver to become a "dumping ground" for excess fat.